Pakistan, reeling from a historic and painful upset defeat by the United States, faces a critical grudge match against archrival India at the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday. The U.S. secured a stunning win in the Super Over in Dallas on Thursday, marking its second consecutive victory in its debut World Cup, putting Pakistan’s progression to the Super 8 playoff stage in jeopardy. Captain Babar Azam must rally his team to avoid another loss that could severely impact their tournament hopes.
Since losing the T20 World Cup final to England in 2022, Pakistan’s performance has been dismal, suffering defeats against Afghanistan, an understrength New Zealand, Ireland, England, and most recently, the U.S. This string of losses has triggered a predictable wave of criticism back home. Former fast bowler Waqar Younis expressed his disappointment on social media, remarking on Pakistan’s exhaustion and helplessness in the field. Shoaib Akhtar echoed this sentiment, bluntly stating that Pakistan did not deserve to win.
Adding to Pakistan’s woes, the match against India will be played on mystery drop-in pitches at a purpose-built 34,000-capacity stadium in Westbury, New York. These pitches, known for their variable bounce, pose a significant challenge for Pakistan’s struggling batters, especially against India’s formidable fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Muhammad Siraj. Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower criticized the pitches, labeling them as bordering on dangerous due to inconsistent bounce and skidding. Similarly, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted issues with the pitch preparation, noting its unpredictability and the inherent problems with its pace.
The challenging conditions have already impacted other teams, with Sri Lanka being bowled out for 77 by South Africa and India dismissing Ireland for 96 in their opening group game. Babar Azam has reunited with his reliable opening partner Mohammad Rizwan, but the middle-order remains a concern, lacking momentum except for Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan’s pace attack has also been off-color, failing to provide early breakthroughs, and key players like Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir have struggled, particularly in crucial moments.
In contrast, India appears to be a more settled side. With seasoned players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and the experience of playing in New York conditions, India has an added advantage. They dominated Ireland in their opening group game, with Sharma considering the option of using four fast bowlers again, as he did against Ireland, and including spin all-rounders Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja to balance the team.
Sharma’s strategy of adapting to the conditions by possibly making changes highlights India’s preparedness. “Looking at the pitch and conditions, we are open to making changes and doing what is required at that point,” Sharma said after defeating Ireland. This approach contrasts sharply with Pakistan’s current turmoil, adding to the intrigue and intensity of the much-anticipated clash between the two rivals.
